September 24, (THEWILL) — The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has facilitated the admission of 31 IDP children into the Exchange School Programme across different states of the federation.
The Permanent/Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr James Iorapuu, disclosed this while distributing food and other items to various IDP camps, including the Cameroonian Refugees in the state, on Wednesday.
He further disclosed that the State Government, through SEMA, also facilitated the deployment of 14 unaccompanied IDP children to an international orphanage home in Lagos, as well as 10 orphans to the NKST orphanage home at Mkar, in Gboko Local Government area of the state.
According to Dr Iorpuu, such an initiative aims to secure a brighter future for these vulnerable children, ensuring they have access to quality education and scholarship opportunities to study overseas, and other life-changing benefits.
While addressing immediate humanitarian needs, the government, he said, is equally focused on long-term solutions.
“The safe return of IDPs to their ancestral homes remains at the top of our durable solutions agenda. I am pleased to report that 15 households have already been reintegrated at Tyo-Mu, a practical demonstration of the government’s resolve to end protracted displacement”, he stated.
He appreciated all humanitarian partners for their unfaltering collaboration with the State Government so as to strengthen the collective capacity to respond effectively, and appealed for extension of more interventions and targeted support to IDP camps in Logo, Gwer West, Agatu, Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Apa, and Otukpo Local Government councils.
The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the UNIICR for facilitating the integration of IDPs in Tyo-mu to enable them to manage and sustain their rice farm, saying such a laudable initiative contributes to sustainable components of durable solutions while enhancing the livelihoods of the displaced persons.
He noted that the construction of a gigantic water treatment plant in Naka by IOM represents a permanent solution to the water scarcity challenges in the area and is a clear example of sustainable intervention that directly transforms lives.
“Our appreciation equally goes to our UN partners and local partners for their swift and commendable response to the recent Yelwata attacks. Your timely action has brought relief to many households affected by the tragedy”, Iorpuu declared.
Items distributed include 710 bags of beans, 1,430 bags of Gari, 1,602 cartons of Indomie, 280 bags of maize, as well as trucks of rice.
